Zamboanga del Sur Governor Antonio Cerilles has condemned the massacre of 15 people in Barangay Tininghalang, Lapuyan last February 23.Gov. Cerilles said the act of the perpetrators was barbaric and animalistic as they killed the victims without mercy.

It was learned that the killers gathered the victims around 5:15 p.m., shot them with firearms and not satisfied yet, hacked them all.

Cerilles said the most despicable part of the massacre was the killing of a two-year-old boy together with his mother. Both were hacked with bolo while the mother was breastfeeding the boy. A 11-year-old school kid was among the 15 killed.

Cerilles called on the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces to work together and use their resources to neutralize the perpetrators and give justice to the innocent victims.

The governor likewise called on authorities to also arrest all criminals in the country.

“We are working together with the Philippine Army troopers in combing the area where they (perpetrators) are possibly hiding,” Gucela said.Additional police and Army troopers were also sent to Lapuyan secure the people, according to Gucela.

Meanwhile, Highway Patrol Group 9 Chief Sr. Supt. Romeo R. Uy has directed Zamboanga del Sur HPG Unit Chief Sr. Insp. Dexter Diones and Zamboanga Sibugay HPGPU Chief SPO4 Nestor Bandigan to intensify the operation all along the highway in the two provinces and double check the entry of people in their areas of jurisdiction.

Uy’s directive was issued during his command visit last Tuesday and Wednesday. — Allen Abastillas